Tag Archives: special days

Brain Awareness Week

Brain Awareness WeekIt’s  Brain Awareness Week!  This week is dedicated to brain research.  Our homeschooling science lessons will also be dedicated to brain research.  Below are some of the links we’ll be following during the week.

What our Brains Do Information and Diagrams  http://askabiologist.asu.edu/what-your-brain-doing

Brain Anatomy Vocabulary/Glossary   http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/anatomy/brain/glossary/

Label Diagram Printables  https://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/anatomy/brain/Classroom.shtml

Best Brain Foods  https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/11-brain-foods

Brain Training Interactives   https://www.mindgames.com/

Brain Hat Printable to Cut and Assemble  PDF   http://www.ellenjmchenry.com/homeschool-freedownloads/lifesciences-games/documents/BrainHatColor.pdf

Compare and Contrast Mammal Brains  http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/moreb.html

Brain Experiments and Activities  http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/experi.html

Video of a Human Brain Dissection (not for the squeamish)  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMqWRlxo1oQ

Bible verses about the mind https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/The-Mind

I’m feeling smarter already!

betty jo

Resources for Presidents

3000348_origThe third Monday in February is set apart as Presidents’ Day in honor of the birthdays of our two most famous presidents, Washington and Lincoln.  However, this is just one of several Presidents Days in our homeschool.  As we work our way through American History this school year, we study the presidents as their birthdays show up on the special days calendar.  Below are the links we go to each time we study a president.

US President biographies, printables, word games, and more  http://gardenofpraise.com/leaders.htm

Disney’s The American Presidents short videos  https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=presidents+disney+education

President Quotes – http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/type/type_president.html

Online quiz for each president  http://www.quiz-tree.com/United_States_Presidents_main.html

We’ve been collecting these presidents layer books on a board.  After this school year, we’ll transfer them into a file folder for easy storage and quick reviews.

1383105_589757634439426_1467905323_n Presidents lapbook printables  http://www.homeschoolshare.com/presidents_lapbook.php

President Notebooking  http://notebookingfairy.com/president-notebooking-page/

And because Presidents’ Day is a special day,  here’s extras to take advantage of.

Is it “Presidents”, “President’s” or “Presidents'”?https://www.surfnetkids.com/presidentsday/349/how-to-spell-presidents-day/

The presidents on coins and currency  http://mistupid.com/currency/

For fun Animaniacs Presidents Song  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9KFoqK-yhU

Presidential Salary Math Lesson                                                           https://www.yummymath.com/2017/in-honor-of-presidents-day-find-out-about-presidents-pay/

Free Presidents’ Day resources and printables for all grades and most subjects                   https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Browse/Search:presidents%20day/Price-Range/Free

Arts and Crafts Ideas for Presidents’ Day  https://www.artistshelpingchildren.org/presidentsdaycraftsideakids.html

“Hail to the Chief” Presidential Anthem

Favorite Food of Every President                                                            https://www.wideopeneats.com/every-presidents-favorite-food/

Occasionally we’ll bake a cake on the president’s birthday we are studying.  Most any study is better with cake!

betty jo

Snow Week

 Ice, Snow, Wind, maybe even Blizzard Conditions!  The local public and private schools will be canceling for “snow days” but not us.   “Snow Days” make some awesome learning days! Below is a great resource collection for winter studies whether you have snow or not !
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Why it’s good for us to get outside even when it’s cold –  https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2014/01/15/but-its-cold-out-there/
Winter Weather Science Lessons, Safety Tips, and Activities  http://www.weatherwizkids.com/weather-winter-storms.htm
How to Survive Winter Weather Preparedness Guide   https://thesurvivalmom.com/surviving-severe-winter-weather/
Bring some snow inside for observation and experimentation.
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A study of snow wouldn’t be complete without some research into the life and discoveries of homeschooled farmer boy turned scientist, Snowflake Bentley.     http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4V1cxjcRXCw
 Bentley Biography, Photos, and exhibits

Snowflake and Snowman Printable Writing Paper for Notebooking/Journaling. (The kids tend to write nicer/better when we use decorated paper.  I appreciate these for not using much ink.)   http://www.teacherprintables.net/free-printable-bp-holidays.html

 Bible Focus –  Psalm 147:15-18

15 He gives a command to the earth,
    and it quickly obeys him.
16 He spreads the snow like wool.
    He scatters the frost like ashes.
17 He throws down hail like rocks.
    No one can stand the cold he sends.
18 Then he gives a command, and it melts.
    He sends the breezes, and the waters flow.

Amazing and beautiful!  Macro Photographed Snowflakes  –http://www.natureknows.org/2013/11/amazing-macro-photography-of-individual.html

Fun Snowflake Resources, Activities, Recipes
Winter Weather Themed Math  –  http://www.yummymath.com/?s=winter
Snowmen – Netflix has this award winning film. Our local library has it, too.  We loved it,  (some of the themes were  on the mature side, but my younger boys did just fine with it)  Here’s a preview    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUq8VS6aa9U
Snow Week learning can still happen without actual snow!
Printable Paper Snowflake Templates –
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 “Grow Your Own Crystal Snowflake” Kits. –  I used purple pipe cleaner sticks thinking the color would be pretty coming through the crystals.  We thought the borax crystals were fun to watch grow and turned out quite interesting!
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1800413_584443411637515_1941961007_nThis is the recipe and instructions we used for the kits.  http://creativecynchronicity.com/2011/12/crystallized-snowflakes/
Add Crystal Comparison Experiments by making Epson Salt and Sugar Solutions.  Of course you can make icicles instead of snowflakes. They fit better in smaller jars.
Snow Dough –  2 cups baking soda, 1 cup corn starch, 1 1/2 cups water. Combine all ingredients in sauce pan. Cook over medium high. Stir continuously until it’s the consistency of mashed potatoes. Move dough to bowl and cover w/a towel until cool. Knead well. Store in airtight container.
Sensory Cloud Dough –  Baking Soda and White Hair Conditioner also   Flour with Baby Oil works well – Just mix until the texture feel right to you
Put tortilla shells goes on the grocery list! These dessert snowflakes are fun to make and really yummy!
Cut round flour tortilla shells into snowflakes, lightly fry in oil then sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar.
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Homemade Crockpot Hot Cocoa is a delicious warm up to any snow day!
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 can sweetened condensed milk (14 oz)
 6 cups whole milk
2 cups heavy whipping cream
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
Combine all ingredients in a 4-quart crockpot.  Stir well.  Cover and cook on low for 2 hours stirring occasionally. Top with marshmallows or whipped cream.    Stirring with a peppermint stick is tasty, too!
Stay warm and enjoy learning with snow!
imagesbetty jo

2014 Sochi Winter Olympics – Teaching Resources

Winter-Olympics-LogoWe aren’t particularly “sports fans” at our house, but there are some sporting events we are occasionally interested in.  The Olympics is our top sports interest.  The 2014 Winter Olympics begins Feb. 7th.    And, as it happens at my house, where’s there’s interest, there is learning potential.

I have been planning for a Winter Olympic Unit Study and been collecting a stock pile of links for our homeschooling lessons.  I have some awesome resources for teaching during the Winter Olympic Games to share with you.

The Official Olympic Website – http://www.olympic.org/sochi-2014-winter-olympics

Bible Based Olympic Discussion Guide for the Family – http://whatsinthebible.com/the-sochi-winter-olympics-2014-five-questions-to-engage-your-kids/

Olympic Themed Interactive Games for Kids – http://www.primarygames.com/socstudies/olympics/olympics.htm

Sport Event Coloring Pages –  http://www.classroomjr.com/olympic-coloring-pages/

Support Team USA with a snowflake and a photo  http://www.nbcolympics.com/sochisnowflake?aff=wwlp

Information about the 15 Sports of the Winter Games  http://www.mapsofworld.com/olympics/winter-olympics/events.html

Maps and facts of Russia –   http://www.mapsofworld.com/russia/

Meet the Team USA Atheletes –  http://www.teamusa.org/Athletes

Short videos showing how skis, skates, and curling stones are made – http://www.sciencechannel.com/tv-shows/how-its-made/videos/how-its-made-winter-olympics.htm

A Video Series of the Science of the Olympic Sport Events  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTVqtGTfIc8&list=PLB6B38A6C0540EEB6&feature=share&index=6

Winter Olympic article series from Time Kids – http://www.timeforkids.com/minisite/2014-sochi-olympics

Gold (Au79), Silver (Ag47), and Bronze (Copper-Cu29)  Information from this Interactive Element Chart – http://humantouchofchemistry.com/pages/periodictable.html

Gold, Silver, Bronze Element Videos  – http://www.periodicvideos.com/

Olympic Printables and Activities –  http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/winter-olympics

Teaching Resources and Printables for all grades and several subjects –   http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Browse/Search:winter+olympics/Grade-Level/Homeschooler/Price-Range/Free

Crafts and Games – http://www.makeandtakes.com/winter-olympic-crafts-and-games-for-kids

And finally, the 2014 Winter Olympics Events Schedule and TV Listings – http://www.nbcolympics.com/results-schedule

Know that I’m cheering for our homeschools to have winning Winter Olympics studies!

betty jo

The Winter Olympic Games, But First, The Super Bowl

Winter-Olympics-LogoWe aren’t particularly “sports fans” at our house, but there are some sporting events we are occasionally interested in.  The Olympics is our top sports interest .  The 2014 Winter Olympics begins Feb. 7th.    And, as it happens at my house, where’s there’s interest, there is learning potential.  I have been planning for an Olympic study and been collecting a stock pile of links for our homeschooling lessons.

While transferring the best of my link collection to this post to share with you,  I received a request for help with teaching Super Bowl related lessons.  And I think we came up with a pretty good, quick Super Bowl study.

I have some awesome resources for teaching during the Winter Olympic Games to share with you, but first, here’s some links for Super Bowl related lessons:

Football Music – lesson plans and songs  http://artsedge.kennedy-center.org/multimedia/series/AudioStories/touchdown-songs.aspx

Football Science Video Collection –  http://www.nsf.gov/news/special_reports/football/index.jsp

Football Rules –   http://www.nfl.com/rulebook/beginnersguidetofootball

Graphing Math Activity for younger students – http://www.2teachingmommies.com/2014/01/graphing-through-super-bowl.html

And More Football Math –  http://illuminations.nctm.org/Lesson.aspx?id=872

Super Bowl Printables, Crafts, and Activities – http://www.dltk-kids.com/searchresults.html?q=superbowl

Super Bowl Party Games – http://www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/super-bowl-sunday/

Kid Friendly Super Bowl Recipies – http://chefmom.sheknows.com/articles/822383/kid-friendly-super-bowl-foods

My family’s favorite part of the Super Bowl – Super Bowl Commercials – http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=super%20bowl%20commercial%202014&sm=1

And now, here’s the list of my favorite 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics resources:

The Official Olympic Website – http://www.olympic.org/sochi-2014-winter-olympics

Olympic Themed Interactive Games for Kids – http://www.primarygames.com/socstudies/olympics/olympics.htm

Sport Event Coloring Pages –  http://www.classroomjr.com/olympic-coloring-pages/

Support Team USA with a snowflake and a photo  http://www.nbcolympics.com/sochisnowflake?aff=wwlp

Information about the 15 Sports of the Winter Games  http://www.mapsofworld.com/olympics/winter-olympics/events.html

Maps and facts of Russia –   http://www.mapsofworld.com/russia/

Meet the Team USA Atheletes –  http://www.teamusa.org/Athletes

Short videos showing how skis, skates, and curling stones are made – http://www.sciencechannel.com/tv-shows/how-its-made/videos/how-its-made-winter-olympics.htm

Winter Olympic article series from Time Kids – http://www.timeforkids.com/minisite/2014-sochi-olympics

Wordsearch, Crosswords, and more printables   http://homeschooling.about.com/od/freeprintables/ss/olympicprint.htm

Olympic printables and activities –  http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/winter-olympics

26 teaching resources for all grades and several subjects  http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Browse/Search:winter+olympics/Grade-Level/Homeschooler/Price-Range/Free

Happy Sporting and Happy Learning!

betty jo

Resources for Teaching – Chinese New Year

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January 25th is the first day of the Chinese New Year and 2020 is the year of the Rat.   Here’s a resource list for cross curricular and multi-level learning!

Traditions, Greetings, Decorations and More                                                https://chinesenewyear2020.org/

Chinese New Year History, Celebrations, Food, Crafts and More for Kids                   https://www.china-family-adventure.com/chinese-new-year.html

Chinese New Year Activities, Crafts, and Learning Resources   http://www.franw.com/2016/01/chinese-new-year.html

Chinese New Year resources, games, recipes and printables  http://www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/chinese-new-year/

More Learning Activities and Resources                           https://seasonal.theteacherscorner.net/chinese-new-year/

Lesson Plans, Ideas, and Resources                                                                     https://kidworldcitizen.org/a-lesson-plan-for-chinese-new-year-w-props-and-stories/

Chinese New Year craft ideas and instructions                             https://www.redtedart.com/chinese-new-year-craft-dragon-puppet-free-printable/

Lunar New Year Math Activity                                                    https://www.yummymath.com/2018/lunar-new-year-2018/

Free downloads for language arts and math activities with a Chinese New Year theme  http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Browse/Search:chinese+new+year/Grade-Level/Homeschooler/Price-Range/Free

Chinese New Year Family Traditions  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=noiouIzjJZE

How To Teach Simple Chinese Characters                    https://bilingualkidspot.com/2018/07/10/chinese-characters-for-kids/

Step by Step Chinese Writing Symbols                                                                                 https://www.china-family-adventure.com/chinese-writing-symbols.html

Learn Mandarin Chinese – 40 online lessons with audio, including reading, speaking, writing, modern vocabulary, grammar, calligraphy, examples and exercises    http://www.chinese-tools.com/learn/chinese

China History and Timeline               https://www.ducksters.com/geography/country/china_history_timeline.php

China Stats, Maps, Missions, and Prayer Card Printables   https://joshuaproject.net/countries/CH

Chinese New Year makes a wonderful theme for a project.  Here’s the one our family worked on a few years ago.

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HAPPY JOYGERM DAY!

DSCF0008According to the special days in January list, January 8th is Joygerm Day!  I’ve caught it (once again) and plan on trying my very best to make sure my family catches this germ and continues to spread it.  It’s my understanding that the joygerm is highly contagious!  You don’t even have to be in a physical setting to give it to someone else.  It can be spread through a phone, computer, or a letter.  You know, not all germs are bad, some are wonderful!

Below are some of the study links we’ll be following as our homeschooling special days lessons.  Learning together today is going to be great!

Joygerm Day background   http://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/joy-germ-day/

For Bible Study and Journaling

Many “joy” Bible quotes to choose from any version of choice  (just type in “joy” in the search bar)  http://www.biblegateway.com/

Famous quotes about joy  http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/joy.html

For Science:

Happiness:  Contagious as the Flu is a good article explaining the science of joy  http://www.livescience.com/3110-happiness-contagious-flu.html

For “Socialization” (because we home educators have to get that included) the assignment is simple….”be intentional about spreading joy to others”.

I hope that you, dear reader, get infected with the Joygerm as well (if you haven’t been exposed to it yet) and contaminate many others!

betty jo

Teacher Resourses For New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day

happy-new-yearEven though our homeschool is on winter break, that doesn’t mean that I can’t sneak in a little learning.  I’ve collected a few free resource links for us to follow on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.

New Year’s traditions from around the world  http://www.redtedart.com/2013/11/28/new-years-eve-traditions-around-world/

New Year’s Culture Quiz  http://quizzes.familyeducation.com/new-years/new-years-eve-traditions/new-years-culture-quiz.html

World clock and map  http://www.worldtimezone.com/

How to say “Happy New Year” in several languages  http://www.enchantedlearning.com/calendar/newyear.shtml

Father Time and Baby New Year explained  http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/articles/holidays/newyearicons.htm

Top 10 songs for New Year’s Eve  http://www.examiner.com/article/top-ten-new-year-s-songs-songs-for-new-year-s-eve-and-new-year-s-day-with-videos

New Year coloring pages, worksheets, word games, and more  http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/new-year

Party games and activities http://www.howdoesshe.com/15-fun-new-years-eve-activities-for-kids-or-adults/

Winter and New Years themed interactives and printables  http://www.akidsheart.com/holidays/winter/winter.htm

The most looked up words in 2013 from Merriam Webster http://www.merriam-webster.com/the-year-in-words/2013-entries.htm?&t=1387509070

Quotes to inspire us to make 2014 the best year yet  http://mashable.com/2013/12/25/inspirational-quotes-best-year/?utm_cid=mash-com-fb-main-link

Wishing you and your family a happy 2014!

betty jo

How Holidays Are Made and Other Christmas Science Lessons

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Our Christmas studies have been going well.  We’ve been covering Christmas themed Bible, social studies, math, foreign language, music and language arts lessons since the beginning of December.  However,  science studies have been lacking.  For our final week of learning of the semester, we’ll be focusing on science but will still be keeping our Christmas theme.

How It’s Made is a science discovery site which features short videos.  Here your family can watch how glass ornaments, artificial trees, and candy canes are made.  http://www.sciencechannel.com/search/?q=how+it%27s+made+christmas

Made How is a “new to me” site.  While exploring there, I found helpful articles  explaining the background, materials, design, and manufacturing of  popular holiday items.  This site doesn’t have an index or search bar, so I’ve linked to each item individually below.

Candles  http://www.madehow.com/Volume-1/Candle.html

Bells http://www.madehow.com/Volume-2/Bell.html

Artificial Snow  http://www.madehow.com/Volume-4/Artificial-Snow.html

Fruit Cake http://www.madehow.com/Volume-4/Fruitcake.html

Model Trains  http://www.madehow.com/Volume-4/Model-Train.html

Glass Ornaments  http://www.madehow.com/Volume-5/Glass-Ornament.html

Greeting Cards  http://www.madehow.com/Volume-5/Greeting-Card.html

Holiday Lights  http://www.madehow.com/Volume-5/Holiday-Lights.html

Nutcrackers  http://www.madehow.com/Volume-5/Nutcracker.html

Wrapping Paper  http://www.madehow.com/Volume-6/Wrapping-Paper.html

Candy Canes  http://www.madehow.com/Volume-7/Candy-Cane.html

Batteries http://www.madehow.com/Volume-1/Battery.html

A Vintage Educational Film from the 1950’s Tour of a Toy Factory http://thedailytour.blogspot.com/2013/01/mattel-toy-company-factory-tour-1950s.html

For other science related Christmas themes:

My friend, Fran, has some great ideas and links for adding reindeer (animal science) to Christmas themed studies  http://www.franw.com/2013/12/reindeer-games-and-activities.html

12 Days of Science – a brief science lesson with an activity (these are good lessons)  http://www.thescientificmom.com/2013/12/the-twelve-days-of-science-day-1-candy.html

Christmas STEM Activities                                                    https://thehomeschoolscientist.com/christmas-stem-activities/

Winter Solstice lesson plans  http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/lesson094.shtml

Evergreen Tree resource connections  http://www.homeschoolshare.com/trees.php

Arctic and Inuit Unit Study with Lapbook Printables   https://www.tinasdynamichomeschoolplus.com/science/arctic-inuit-unit-study/

Polar Animals Lapbook Printables   http://www.homeschoolshare.com/polar_animals_lapbook.php

Interactive Chemistry Advent Calendar – http://www.compoundchem.com/2014advent/

Sing-along to Physics and Chemistry Carols  –  http://magicalchildhood.com/homeschool/2016/07/09/sing-physics-and-chemistry-carols-with-the-kids-updated-with-more-songs/

20 Christmas Science Experiments  http://www.science-sparks.com/2013/11/23/christmas-science/

Christmas Science Experiment Videos                                                   https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhgK74tFscGVmYTUbX0QWhDMTkeIlo1mO

A terrific last minute gift idea – DIY Science Kit-  http://gluesticksblog.com/2010/12/super-science-kit-christmas-gift-idea.html

I hope you’re enjoying the holiday studies in your homes as well!

Merry Science,

betty jo

Free Christmas Themed Teaching Resources

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Again this week, I’m sharing some sites that I am adding to our homeschool’s Christmas themed studies link list.
  • The FREE YouVersion Bible App for kids is now available.  E downloaded it for the younger boys, but she and I had the most fun with it.  And the app includes the birth of Jesus!  https://www.bible.com/kids
  • This site has fun interatives for all subjects K-5 (and they have a “holiday” category  complete with Christmas themed math games)  http://interactivesites.weebly.com/

Happy Holiday Schooling!

betty jo